White Plains Family Attorney

Guiding individuals over 50 through the divorce process

Divorcing after the age of 50, also known as “gray divorce” or “senior divorce”, is a growing trend impacting thousands of couples each year. While divorce rates for those in their 20s, 30s, or 40s has decreased over the past decade, research indicates the divorce rate for people over 50 has more than doubled since 1990. At the Law Office of Karen Jansen, trust our White Plains divorce lawyer to provide the legal support and advice you need to understand the potential implications of divorce, and prepare for a new beginning. If you are considering divorce, it is vital to seek assistance from an experienced divorce attorney, familiar with the particular issues individuals over 50 may face before, during and after a divorce.

Understanding the issues inherent in gray divorces

Divorce is becoming a reality for more and more older individuals. However, divorcing after 20 or more years of marriage often presents additional hurdles that those divorcing in their 20s or 30s may not experience. Typically, a couple that has been married for a long period of time has cultivated a comfortable standard of living based on many years of income and saving. After a divorce, one person may find themselves in an unfamiliar position, without the necessary resources to support themselves.

Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, may help the less financially stable party establish a new foundation and prepare themselves for a different future. When determining an appropriate amount of duration of spousal support, the Court analyzes several factors. The factors most critical in evaluation potential alimony in gray divorce cases are:

  • The present or future earning capacity of the parties, including whether such earning capacity has been impacted by a limited work history
  • One party’s need to obtain additional training or education
  • The tax consequences of spousal support
  • The standard of living enjoyed during the marriage
  • One party’s reduced or lost earning capacity as a result of choosing to forgo education, training or career opportunities during the marriage

In some cases, women choose to stay at home to raise children and take care of domestic tasks associated with establishing a home while the husband cultivates a career outside the home. In these situations, especially when divorce occurs after 50, women may be faced with the task of finding employment without the adequate education, experience and resources necessary. It is important to have an experienced divorce attorney on your side to ensure that your voice is heard to get the results you need to achieve a fulfilling future.

Leading White Plains divorce attorney provides answers to all your questions about divorce after 50

Choosing to end a marriage after many years is rarely an easy decision. At the Law Office of Karen Jansen, our skilled White Plains divorce attorney provides the legal resources and advice necessary to manage expectations and make the best decisions for your future. Call 914-821-5200 for a free initial phone consultation. You may also send an email to schedule an appointment. Attorney Karen Jansen represents clients throughout Westchester County, as well as Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan.